Arkansas high school girls and boys basketball state finals preview (3/5/2024)
The 2024 Centennial Bank Arkansas High School Basketball state championship games tip off this week at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
Twelve games are on the slate, beginning with Class 3A girls at noon Thursday, and will conclude with the Class 2A boys at 7:45 p.m. Saturday.
Thirteen of last season's finalists return, including eight defending champions, while three advanced to the championship round for the first time.
Follow along for live updates and complete recaps of all 12 games on the website.
Farmington is seeking back-to-back state championships in Class 4A. (Photo by Steve Andrews)
6A
GIRLS
Conway (26-7) vs. Little Rock Central (18-12)
Mar. 8 (Friday), 6 p.m.
Multiple seniors on this Central squad were consistent contributors for the Lady Tigers when they shocked 6A favorite Conway in the 2022 quarterfinals. Conway has won four straight contests over its conference foe and hopes to make it five in their return trip after winning it all last season.
Following an 8-5 start, Conway has won 18 of its past 19 contests, including 14 consecutive. Central, however, has been streaky over the past month, dropping four of six contests from Jan. 30 through Feb. 20, but have won four consecutive as they aim for their first state title in school history.
BOYS
Bryant (29-3) vs. Little Rock Central (26-6)
Mar. 8 (Friday), 7:45 p.m.
Though Bryant swept the regular season Central conference series, Part III between the Hornets and Tigers should be a dandy. The Hornets won both matchups by a combined five points, including the two-point victory at home on Feb. 6 that Central was seconds away from taking.
Following a 1-2 start, Bryant reeled off 26 consecutive victories before North Little Rock ended that run on Feb. 16. After bouncing back to win three straight, the Hornets now look to fend off Central, again, whose past three defeats have been by just six total points. Those losses are the only ones Central has suffered against in-state competition.
5A
GIRLS
Greenwood (27-4) vs. Vilonia (26-6)
Mar. 8 (Friday), 12 p.m.
Many expected this rematch of last year's state finals and a much healthier Vilonia squad should make it a more competitive contest this time around. The Lady Eagles did get some early season redemption from last March's lopsided loss when they took down Greenwood 68-63 on Nov. 14.
The two-time defending state champion Lady Bulldogs have continued to set the standard in Class 5A under Clay Reeves, who hopes to win his eleventh ring overall and eighth with Greenwood. They have won 13 straight games since falling to Mountain Home on Jan. 19. Vilonia started 9-5 while taking some lumps against a brutal non-conference schedule, but were hardly touched in 5A-Central play as they took down each opponent by no less than 21 points.
BOYS
Benton (29-4) vs. Pine Bluff (23-6)
Mar. 8 (Friday), 1:45 p.m.
For the second consecutive season it will be an all South conference state finals as the Z's make their return trip looking to bring home more hardware. Meanwhile, Benton is in the championship for the first time since 2008 and aims to take down Pine Bluff for the third time this season.
Benton went on a perfect 16-0 run through the rugged South league and has not lost against Class 5A competition. The Panthers have also not lost in 2024 as winners 16 consecutive contests. While Pine Bluff has taken its share of lumps, the Z's have won 11 of their past 12 games since dropping back-to-back matchups to Benton and Lake Hamilton in January.
4A
GIRLS
Farmington (36-1) vs. Morrilton (32-2)
Mar. 7 (Thursday), 6 p.m.
Farmington is back in the state finals for the fifth consecutive season after winning its first title in almost two decades last season, while Morrilton makes its first trip since 2008.
These two have become pretty familiar with one another as Farmington edged the Lady Devil Dogs in last year's semifinals and the Lady Cardinals also took down Morrilton to win the 4A-North Regional Tournament last month. Farmington has not lost against in-state competition, while Morrilton has taken 32 of their past 33 contests, with the loss coming to the Lady Cardinals.
BOYS
Farmington (35-2) vs. Little Rock Christian (27-7)
Mar. 7 (Thursday), 7:45 p.m.
Farmington has been the most successful team in Class 4A over the past three seasons to not make it to the state finals. They got over the hump and in their way is a loaded Little Rock Christian team that expects to repeat.
Little Rock Christian once again prepped itself for another title run by loading the non-conference schedule, headlined by a host of national competition. However, Farmington also competed against multiple teams in higher classifications and earned wins that include Lake Hamilton, Vilonia and Maumelle, while the two losses came to 6A semifinalist Springdale Har-Ber and 5A finalist Benton.
3A
GIRLS
Bergman (41-3) vs. Salem (30-6)
Mar. 7 (Thursday), 12 p.m.
The past two state champions square off as Salem makes its return to Hot Springs after winning its first state championship last March and Bergman is back after finishing 43-0 in 2022. The Lady Panthers took down Salem 56-38 back on Nov. 18 in the Arvest Bank Tournament finals.
Excluding a hiccup against Valley Springs in the 3A-1 District Tournament, the Lady Panthers mostly tore through Class 3A opponents as their only other losses were to 5A quarterfinalist Nettleton and 2023 Oklahoma Class 5A defending state champion, Sapulpa. Salem finished 14-0 in 3A-2 play, while season losses also include Nettleton, defending 1A champion Mammoth Spring three times and 6A semifinalist Cabot.
BOYS
Bergman (33-10) vs. Central Arkansas Christian (26-5)
Mar. 7 (Thursday), 1:45 p.m.
It was an incredible game to finish the 2022-23 season, but an understandable heartbreaking result for Bergman, who fell short against Manila in overtime of last year's finals. Like the Panthers, Central Arkansas Christian is looking for its first state championship after advancing via a thrilling semifinal finish against Dumas.
These two met on Nov. 21 as Bergman triumphed 65-46. While it now appears to have been a blessing in disguise, things started to look questionable for CAC following losses in two of three games during the district and regional tournaments after winning 20 straight contests. The Mustangs bounced back in the state tournament and their final task is a Panthers squad who hit two minor slumps prior to the calendar turning to 2024, but have won 15 of their past 17 matchups.
2A
GIRLS
Mansfield (32-0) vs. Mount Vernon-Enola (42-0)
Mar. 9 (Saturday), 6 p.m.
Mount Vernon-Enola's semifinal victory over Mansfield last season was the third consecutive of their still-going streak that currently stands at 46 wins. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers have a lengthy win streak of their own, as this contest is the only one of the twelve featuring unbeaten squads.
Both teams have not only won all of their games, but neither have been challenged much against Class 2A competition. While each feature a trio of top performers, it is not a secret that the Lady Warhawks have the most complete depth in Class 2A and that will be the main challenge for the Lady Tigers match.
BOYS
East Poinsett County (21-11) vs. Marshall (28-8)
Mar. 9 (Saturday), 7:45 p.m.
Marshall had the state title in its grasp last year before being denied in the fourth quarter and the Bobcats get another crack at it against a red hot East Poinsett County squad. The Warriors are in the finals for the first time since 2016 and fifth since 2011.
With many of EPC's contributors playing a role in the football team's run to the 2A state championship, the second half of the season figured to be the Warriors' time to shine. That came to fruition, but can they keep it going against a Marshall squad that is itching for a different result this time around?
1A
GIRLS
Mammoth Spring (39-5) vs. Norfork (34-1)
Mar. 9 (Saturday), 11:30 a.m.
Most predicted a threequel between these two small school powers and both lived up to the hype as these two decorated senior classes square off in the rubber match after splitting the past two 1A titles.
Defending champion Mammoth Spring has lost only once against Class 1A competition since it fell to Norfork in the 2022 finals, but earned redemption over Concord in last Saturday's semifinals. Two of this year's victories include a sweep of defending 3A champion, and current 3A finalist, Salem. Norfork, on the other hand, has lost to 1A foes only three times in that span, two coming at the hands of the Lady Bears. Norfork's lone defeat this season was to 3A finalist Bergman.
BOYS
Marked Tree (34-3) vs Nevada (30-7)
Mar. 9 (Saturday), 1:15 p.m.
Nevada returns to the state finals after making back-to-back trips in 2019 and 2020, the latter in which it brought home the championship. The Blue Jays will face off against a very hungry Indians squad, who immediately set their sights on another opportunity at a ring following a heartbreaking last-second loss in this game last year.
Nevada started the season 9-2 before hitting a slump in December, dropping four of six contests, and have now won 14 consecutive since Jan. 25. Marked Tree did not have its full squad until late November after advancing to the 2A football semifinals. However, with just about everyone back, they have clicked on all cylinders, winning 22 straight games.
-- Kyle Sutherland | kyle@scorebooklive.com | @k_sutherlandAR
